EUCALYPTUS

Eucalyptus, an herb from Australia, is great at easing congestion. You will find it as an ingredient in many over-the-counter medications such as VapoRubs, nasal decongestants, cough suppressants, etc. Eucalyptus contains the chemical eucalyptol which contains both decongestant and antiseptic powers. However, one should never ingest eucalyptus oil! Note that teas and internal uses such as cough suppressants that contain eucalyptus use the leaves which are very safe.

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CHOCOLATE TO SUPRESS A COUGH?

 

Would you believe you might be able to suppress an annoying cough with some yummy chocolate? I haven't tried this as I just recently saw this information but it sure sounds like a good idea to me! This information is about coughs caused by that 'tickle in your throat'.

Professor Alyn Morice is a respected authority on coughs and respiratory medicine. He wrote an article awhile back in the Daily Mail about the effects of chocolate on coughs and stated it can be better than codeine cough syrup. He stated that chocolate forms a sticky coating that protects the nerve endings in the throat that cause the cough. He says the melted chocolate coating also allows the cough -suppressing ingredients found in cocoa to come in contact with the nerves in the throat and calm them down.

Sorry, this doesn't work for hot chocolate. 😞 In hot chocolate the cocoa is too diluted to work.

So why not try to suppress your next tickly cough with some yummy chocolate. And remember to make that dark chocolate so you get some antioxidant benefit, too.

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Vicks VapoRub

When I was growing up in Southern Indiana this was the recipe for whatever ailed you! We still use it in our house. It has helped me through many sinus headaches.